UPDATE: A previous version of our story incorrectly cited a nonexistent promotion at Jersey Mike’s in Ocala. That information was not verified with the store and is not accurate.*
A national sandwich chain opened its third location in Ocala last week.
Jersey Mike’s officially opened for business at 2785 NW 49th Avenue on Wednesday, March 20.
Located within the Shops at Foxwood, the new business is owned by Marlene Kovelesky and is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
The location joins two others that serve the Ocala community at 2602 SW 19th Avenue Road and 8075 SW State Road 200.
According to the company, the third Ocala location was opened on the same day as seven other Jersey Mike’s locations across the country, including one other location in Florida and two others in Tennessee.
The company’s original location, Mike’s Subs, was founded in 1956 and 15 years later, Peter Cancro became the owner and proprietor of the shop.
In 1987, Cancro began franchising the business and, in the years since, it has become the fourth-largest sandwich chain in the United States.
There are approximately 2,761 Jersey Mike’s locations in operation across the country as of March 20, 2024.
The new Jersey Mike’s in Ocala joins a large collection of sandwich-based restaurants throughout the city.
In fact, Ocala has representation from each of the top seven largest sandwich chains in the United States: The city has ten Subway restaurants, three Arby’s locations, two Firehouse Subs, two Panera Bread restaurants, a Jimmy John’s, and a McAlister’s Deli.
With another national restaurant chain expanding its presence in Ocala, the addition marks a growing trend across one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation:
- Biggby Coffee opened its first location in Ocala earlier this month.
- Wawa opened its sixth location in Ocala last month.
- Popeyes announced plans to open a new location at the Paddock Mall.Â
- Crumbl Cookies is currently working on its first location in Ocala at Market Street at Heath Brook.
- Chick-fil-A opened its third location in Ocala in December, just two weeks after Mellow Mushroom opened its first.
- 7-Eleven has opened multiple locations across Ocala in the past several years, with two opening in late 2023.
- Nothing Bundt Cake is working on its first location in Ocala, replacing the former Weight Watchers, next door to First Watch in College Plaza.
Are you looking forward to trying the new Jersey Mike’s location? Are there other sandwich shops that you would like to see in Ocala? Share your comments below or write a letter to the editor.
*Editor’s Note: A portion of this story was edited/removed after publication.